Puren Temple, Buddhist temple in Chengde, China
Puren Temple is a Buddhist complex situated on the eastern bank of the Wulie River in northern Chengde. The grounds contain multiple halls and pavilions arranged across the landscape.
The temple was built in 1767 under Emperor Kangxi as a gathering place for Mongolian nobles celebrating the emperor's 60th birthday. The construction arose from a significant political occasion.
The complex blends Chinese temple design with Tibetan Buddhist elements, displaying Sanskrit inscriptions and decorative patterns that visitors can observe on the buildings today. This architectural fusion shows the spiritual openness that shaped the site's original purpose.
Visitors explore the grounds best on foot to see all the halls and pavilions at their own pace. A guided tour helps you understand the functions of different spaces and appreciate the ancient paintings.
The ceiling paintings were created using specific historical pigments including cinnabar, lead white, and lapis lazuli, bound together with animal glue. Analysis reveals that artists deliberately selected durable materials to ensure the works would last centuries.
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